Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7438 sanctuary

A place or structure set aside for the worship of God. In Scripture the word generally refers to the tabernacle or the Jerusalem temple. By extension the word signifies a location or spiritual state providing refuge from hostile forces, human, spiritual or natural.

The tabernacle

Exodus 25:8-9 See also Exodus 36:1; Hebrews 8:2,5

Worship in the tabernacle was divinely ordained in great detail

Exodus 30:7-10; Leviticus 7:37-38; Leviticus 23:44; Exodus 39:1; Numbers 3:30-31; Hebrews 9:1

The people gave generously for the tabernacle

Exodus 36:4-5

Approach to God's sanctuary was strictly regulated

Leviticus 12:4 See also Leviticus 21:21-23; Numbers 3:10,38; Numbers 8:19; Numbers 18:5; Numbers 19:20; 2 Chronicles 26:18

A reverent attitude was commanded

Leviticus 19:30 pp Leviticus 26:2

The Jerusalem temple

David made extensive preparations for Solomon to build the temple

1 Chronicles 22:17-19 See also 1 Chronicles 28:2-3,6

The inner sanctuary of the temple corresponded to the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle

1 Kings 6:19 See also 1 Kings 8:6 pp 2 Chronicles 5:7; 1 Chronicles 6:49; Hebrews 9:1-4

Some places were considered sacred because of God's presence and activity

Exodus 15:17 See also Genesis 28:16-17; Exodus 3:1-5; Psalm 15:1; Psalm 63:2; Psalm 73:16-17; Jeremiah 17:12

Conduct that displeases God will lead to a nation's sanctuaries being destroyed

Disobedience to God

Leviticus 26:31 See also 2 Chronicles 30:8; Ezekiel 7:24; Lamentations 2:7; Amos 7:9; Malachi 2:11

Dishonesty in dealings

Ezekiel 28:18

Idolatry

See also Leviticus 20:3; Ezekiel 8:6; Ezekiel 23:38-39

Profaning the sanctuary

Ezekiel 44:7-8; Zephaniah 3:4

Sanctuary from vengeance: the cities of refuge

Joshua 20:2-3 See also Numbers 35:6,9-12

God himself is his people's sanctuary

Psalm 31:20 See also Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 17:7-9; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 32:7; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 64:1-2; Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 25:4; Ezekiel 11:16; Romans 8:38-39; Philippians 4:7; Hebrews 6:19

Non-material “sanctuaries” of God

Heaven, where God is perfectly worshipped

Psalm 102:19 See also Hebrews 9:24

God's worshipping people, in whom God dwells

Psalm 114:2 See also 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:21; 1 Peter 2:5

Jesus Christ himself as the “place” where God dwelt on earth

John 2:19-21

See also

3278  Holy Spirit, indwelling
5490  refuge
5511  safety
7241  Jerusalem, significance
7396  Most Holy Place
7442  shrine
7459  tabernacle, in OT
7467  temple, Solomon's
7474  Tent of Meeting
7768  priests, OT function
8626  worship, places
9411  heaven